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PRACTICEIntermediate · Single correct

PRACTICE / Lorentz force

Apply the charge sign last

An electron with q=−1.60×10⁻¹⁹ C enters along +x at 2.0×10⁵ m/s. The electric field is +3.0×10⁴ V/m along y, and B=+0.20 T along z.

What is the initial y component of the total force?

Organize the givens & assumptions
  • q=−1.60×10⁻¹⁹ C
  • v_x=2.0×10⁵ m/s
  • E_y=3.0×10⁴ V/m
  • B_z=0.20 T

Uniform perpendicular fields; nonrelativistic point charge; gravity and other forces negligible. The question asks for the initial force only.

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Problem: Apply the charge sign last
An electron with q=−1.60×10⁻¹⁹ C enters along +x at 2.0×10⁵ m/s. The electric field is +3.0×10⁴ V/m along y, and B=+0.20 T along z.
Question: What is the initial y component of the total force?
Givens:
- q=−1.60×10⁻¹⁹ C
- v_x=2.0×10⁵ m/s
- E_y=3.0×10⁴ V/m
- B_z=0.20 T
Assumptions: Uniform perpendicular fields; nonrelativistic point charge; gravity and other forces negligible. The question asks for the initial force only.
Choices (LaTeX):
A. +1.60\times10^{-15}\ \mathrm N
B. -1.60\times10^{-15}\ \mathrm N
C. +1.12\times10^{-14}\ \mathrm N
D. -1.12\times10^{-14}\ \mathrm N

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Act as a patient physics tutor. Ask what I understand and what I have tried, then wait for my reply. Teach one step at a time; do not give the final answer or a complete solution immediately. Start with a physical picture. Define unfamiliar symbols and operators, explain signs and units, and state the model's assumptions. Give progressively stronger hints only when I need them. Ask me to predict a change before calculating it. When I finish, help me check dimensions and a limiting case, then ask one related transfer question. If information is missing or ambiguous, ask rather than inventing it. Distinguish exact results from approximations and acknowledge uncertainty.
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